as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
at this time of the year, light begins to taper off a little earlier each day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taper off
Although the violence has tapered off, the hotel’s front doors remain locked.
—
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, although violence has tapered off in recent years.
—Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The first, called quiescence, relies on environmental cues — when temperatures plummet, metabolism automatically tapers off.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025
The Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service expects more rain and drizzle for the metro on Wednesday, with a high of 51
Rain showers are likely for most of the area today, the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service reports, but will taper off from north to south tonight.
—John Autey, Twin Cities, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, although violence has tapered off in recent years.
—Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The first, called quiescence, relies on environmental cues — when temperatures plummet, metabolism automatically tapers off.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025
The Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service expects more rain and drizzle for the metro on Wednesday, with a high of 51
Rain showers are likely for most of the area today, the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service reports, but will taper off from north to south tonight.
—John Autey, Twin Cities, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for taper off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taper off
Verb
-
Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 June 2025
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
-
The perception that Iran’s military strength is significantly diminished will raise questions about the stability of its political system.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
The rain had stopped and much of the floodwater was subsiding.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
-
Yet, the excitement quickly subsided—shares fell 1.18% in after-hours trading to $178.84 following a mixed Q1 earnings report that exceeded EPS expectations but fell short on sales forecasts.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
-
From 2015 to 2022, the number of 12- to 17-year-old American adolescents using inhalants declined from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022, according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
There is a point in the song after the second verse where the drums and vocal fall away before revving up again, and when Boumendil hears it, he’s repeatedly been close to tears.—
Elias Leight,
Billboard,
13 June 2025
-
Each booster stage separates and falls away sequentially after burning out, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation explained.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
What once looked like a promising season is falling apart for the Kansas City Royals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2025
-
Reckoning for three weekends, but the Tom Cruise-starrer fell only 31 percent in its fourth outing to $10.3 million from 2,942 theaters for a domestic tally of $166.3 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
Higher oil prices from the Middle East conflict likely further reduce the odds the Fed will ease monetary policy anytime soon.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
15 June 2025
-
In a new study, two therapies eased pain and reduced opioid use in people with chronic low back pain.—
Kristen Fischer,
Health,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taper off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taper%20off. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share